Oulton BSB: Irwin riding leading momentum into tricky track

Honda’s Glenn Irwin heads to Oulton Park as Bennetts British Superbike Championship leader after a stunning hat trick at Silverstone.

Despite the dominance, the Northern Irishman is aware of his limitations at the Cheshire track with expectations targeting mid-pack rather than podium finishes for the Bank Holiday weekend. It’s quite the contrast from his debut treble last time out but Irwin is hoping the class-leading momentum and positive showing at last week’s Official test - which saw him second in the standings by just 0.388s - will give him the edge once again.

“Obviously coming into round two at Oulton Park as the championship leader is a good feeling,” Irwin admitted. “It is a feeling I enjoy and feeling that I think it can bring more out of me, similar to in 2020. It helped bring good momentum and it is nice to have that tag and everything that comes with it.

“We did have a good test at Oulton Park last week and I think it showed two things. It showed that it continues to be a more difficult track for us and our rivals have some sort of ‘free time’ as I would like to call it. Where they are strong there is not much I can really do, but it also showed that we have made a step there.

“As a racer you always want to win but I think targeting three top sevens is realistic and good, but that being said I feel honestly I am riding the best I have ever rode in my life,” he confirmed.

“I know this is a more difficult track for us and I do think the bike has made a step but I feel that I want to get in amongst it and maybe make the difference and that is exactly what I will be trying to do!

“We are in a good moment and we will work hard to continue this momentum.”